How To Deadlift: Five Easy Steps to Perfect Form

Five Easy Steps to Perfect Your Deadlift

In this video, we teach you how to deadlift in five easy steps. With these steps, you’ll learn how to execute a conventional deadlift with perfect form, every time.

About the Deadlift

The deadlift involves picking up a heavy weight from the ground. It directly trains the spinal erectors, and involves the entire posterior chain as well as upper body muscles including the deltoids, trapezius and biceps muscles. It builds a strong back better than any other barbell exercise.

Back strength is important for overall back health – a strong back is a less vulnerable back to injury. Deadlifts are, unfortunately, easy to do wrong and therefore, have potential to injure. However, if you learn to deadlift correctly, you will have less potential for back injury while performing the movement and in life.

You may have heard the deadlift described as “a measure of brute strength.” If you yank on the barbell hard enough, it’ll come off the ground, right? Not quite. Just like the squat and the press, there is a proper way to execute the deadlift. Keep reading to learn the five step setup to a perfect deadlift.

The Five Step Setup

Step 1

Walk up to the barbell until your shins are just one inch away – this will place the barbell directly over your midfoot, which is the balance point for all barbell exercises. Your heels should be 6-8 inches apart, a more narrow stance than your squat.

Step 2

Lean over with stiff legs, and take a grip that places your elbows just outside your knees. Be careful not to move or roll the bar from your midfoot.

Step 3

Bring your shins forward to touch the barbell – again without moving or rolling it away from your midfoot. Freeze your hips in place – they are not allowed to move from here.